The Biomechanics of the Golf Swing

Joshua Won
Biology 438
April 19th, 2011
The Golf Swing

 The golf swing is a technique

the golfer uses to hit the golf
ball, hoping (for most) the
ball will end up at the
designated target.
 Through instruction and
practice, the golfer develops
coordinated control of
multiple muscle groups to
produce a golf swing.
The Ideal Swing
The Study

 Analyze the components of the golf swing.

 The muscles involved.
 Look at the kinetics of the golf swing.
 How technique can effect the golf swing.
 The muscles involved.
 The differences in kinetics.
 The Golf Swing Simplified

Swing Plane Angle 2

 Although the golf swing
Swing Plane Angle 1 Head Position
has many moving
components, I will focus
Shoulder Plane
Hip Angle Arm Position primarily on the hip, back,
leg and shoulder muscles.
Spine Angle
 I will ignore the
Knee Flex Angle
complicated positions
(shown on the left) that
setup the swing.
“They say golf is like life, but don't believe them. Golf is more
complicated than that.” - G. Dickinson
The Muscles Involved
The Muscles Involved

 Recruitment of fast twitch

muscle fibers.
 Fast contraction time
(higher vmax)
 Greater efficiency at higher
velocity.
 Power more important
than economy.
The Backswing

The Storing of Potential Energy – Muscle Loading

1. The arms stay in front of the

chest as the shoulders turn.
2. The left deltoid, left latissumis
dorsi, right rhomboideus major
and left teres major are
extended at the top of the
swing.
3. The hips create tension in the
back by restricting rotational
movement. (creating torque)
The Down Swing

The Release of Potential Energy – The Kinetic Chain

1. The left knee opens to the right forcing
the hip to follow.
2. The opening of the hips turns the
shoulders with the arms.
3. Once the club reaches the ball the left
hip muscles, left quadricep are fully
contracting.
4. The shoulders and back muscles are
isometrically contracting to create
resistance to allow the hands to move
past the chest, freely, accelerating the
club through the ball.
5. The club momentum carries throughout
the swing, which ends at the follow
through.
Force
 The club is moving in a
circular motion.
 So at impact,
Fcentripetal = mv2/r
vimpact = 39.8 m/s
mclub = 270 grams
r = 1.36 m
Fcentripetal = (.270)(39.8)2/(1.36)
= 314.5 N
Energy

 K.E. = (1/2)mv2 (assuming the club is moving in a linear path at impact)

mclub = 270 grams
vimpact = 39.8 m/s
K.E. = (1/2)(0.270)(39.8)2 = 213.8 J
Power

 From the start of the back swing to the end of the down
swing.
Power = W/∆t
W = 213.8 J
t = 0.683 s
Power = (213.8)/(0.683)
= 313 watts
Momentum
 mclub = 270 grams
 vimpact = 39.8 m/s
 Momentum at impact = mvimpact
(0.270)(39.8) = 10.7 kg*m/s
 Impulseimpact = change in momentum
F∆t = m∆v
(314.5 N)(0.278s) = 87.4 N*s
Arm vs. Full Body Swing
 Most inexperienced golfers attempt to hit the golf ball
with only their arms.
 This swing is inefficient and difficult to reproduce.
 The arms have too much control of the swing which leads to
inconsistent ball strikes.
 The full body swing recruits bigger muscles to produce
the swing.
 Less control in the arms (greater consistency).
 Greater club head speed with minimal effort.
The Arm Swing

The Technique The Muscles Involved

 Using your dominant hand,  Primary Muscles – Biceps

pull the club back and and forearm muscles
push it through the hitting (supinator and flexor carpi
area. ulnaris)
 The opposite hand is used
to stabilize the club during
the swing.
The Arm Swing
The Full Body Swing

The Technique The Muscles Involved

 For this swing, use your

shoulders, back, hips and
legs to coordinate the
movement.
 The arms stay in front of
the chest as the rest of
the body turns.
The Full Body Swing
Comparison

Arm Swing Full Body Swing

Vel.club at impact (m/s) 32.3 39.8
Force at impact (N) 228.3 314.5
Energy at impact (J) 140.8 213.8
Power (W) 230.1 313.0
Momentum (kg*m/s) 8.7 10.7
Ball Speed (after impact) 50.2 72.4
(m/s)
*Data for calculations acquired on logger pro.
Conclusions
 The full body swing produces more force and energy than
the arm swing.
 The full body swing generates greater ball speed, which is
important for the golfer.
 The full body swing is more efficient.
 The amount of energy produced in the full body swing is
created by 4 muscle groups instead of 2.
 The arm swing relies on 2 muscle groups, both which are
smaller than any of the 4 muscles in the full body swing.
Forward Directions
 In the future, I would like to analyze the difference in club
velocity between relaxed vs. tense muscles.
 Based on muscle fiber force vs. velocity curves, muscle fibers
can generate higher velocity with less force.
 As we saw in the data, club head velocity is most important for create
higher energy.
 Also, obtain readings from an electromyogram during a
golf swing to see, in real time, individual muscle activity.
References
 "Kinetesis Sports » Blog Archive » Understanding The Golf Swing."
Kinetesis Sports Solutions Specializes in Golf Fitness, Exercise, and Flexibility
Programs to Help Golfers Improve Their Swing and Prevent Injuries.
http://kinetesissports.com/blog/?p=203
 Kao, J. T., M. Pink, F. W. Jobe, and J. Perry. "Electromyographic Analysis of the
Scapular Muscles During a Golf Swing." The American Journal of Sports
Medicine 23.1 (1995): 19-23. Print.
 Adlington, GS. "Proper Swing Technique and Biomechanics of Golf." Clinical
Sports Medicine 15.1 (1996): 9-26. Print.
 Logger Pro ver. 3.8.3